ACT TWO

FADE IN:

EXT. MCGUIRE HOME—DAY

As we fade in we see the lovely exterior of the front of the McGuire's home.

RESET TO:

The roof of the house.

We see that Sam and Jo in their bid for quiet, have resorted to sitting on the roof of their own house. Though neither seems all that comfortable.

SAM

(fidgety)

These shingles really make it hard to get comfortable…

JO

(peevish)

Shhh! We're trying to enjoy the peace and quiet.

As the two try and convince themselves they're comfy, they're observed by those below.

RANDOM KID

(O.S.)

Weirdoes!

JO

Hey!

SAM

I know where you live Danny Macado!

At this juncture enter Matt and Lanny once again.

JO

Matt McGuire, what are you doing up on the roof!

MATT

What are you doing up here?

SAM

Never mind. Answer you mother.

MATT

(enthusiastic)

Me and Lanny are putting up a Ham Radio antenna.

JO

Dare I ask 'why'?

MATT

So we can talk to people all around the world!

Lanny nods.

SAM

That's not a bad investment. It'll certainly be cheaper than the phone.

JO

Sam!

(beat)

Can't you put that up another time kiddo?

MATT

'Fraid not. The weatherman said it looks like rain after today.

Sam and Jo look on helpless as Matt and Lanny work away at installing the antenna.

CUT TO:

MUSICAL MONTAGE:

INT. MCGUIRE HOME—KITCHEN—DAY

Sam and Jo are in the kitchen, then comes Matt and Lanny to make a huge, and loud, meal. Thus driving our peace seeking duo off.

INT. MCGUIRE HOME—GARAGE—DAY

Sam and Jo are in the garage when the door raises up and reveals Matt and Lanny, who proceed to gather various tools and materials from the garage and start building some manner of contraption—thus foiling Sam and Jo again.

EXT. MCGUIRE HOME—BACKYARD—DAY

Sam and Jo are hiding, cramped up, inside the little storage shed that they have in the backyard. But sure enough, up shows Matt and Lanny in search of something that's inside the shed. Again depriving Sam and Jo of their much sought relaxation.

End of Montage

CUT TO:

INT. HIGH SCHOOL—GYM—NIGHT

The gym is resplendent with Valentine's Day decorations for the dance. The kids really knocked themselves out. An atmosphere of romance hangs palpable in the air.

We see Lizzie, Miranda, and Kate standing around the punch bowl, dressed to the nines.

KATE

(to Lizzie)

Where's Gordo?

LIZZIE

He's supposed to meet me here later. Something about a 'last minute detail'.

MIRANDA

(to Kate)

Where's Ethan?

KATE

His water polo practice is running late. He'll be here soon.

(beat)

Where's your date?

MIRANDA

He'll be along. He's just late, that's all…

But while the two have been talking, Lizzie has tuned them out and has been engrossed in some deep thinking of her own. Seeing this, Miranda intrudes.

MIRANDA

Lizzie, you okay?

LIZZIE

Huh? Oh yeah. I was just thinking about what Parker said…

KATE

I still can't believe she said that. And I thought I was a witch.

MIRANDA

Don't let it get to you Lizzie. She doesn't stand a chance with Gordo. Especially with us around.

LIZZIE

You see, I know that. It's just the idea that she's 'gunning for him'…

ANIMATED LIZZIE

Where's a bulletproof vest when you need one?

Animated Lizzie is fending off Cupid's arrows before they hit her frog—which represents Gordo.

At that moment Parker walks into the gym, looks around, and goes get some punch herself.

MIRANDA

(unfriendly)

Parker.

LIZZIE

What're you doing here?

PARKER

I can come to the dance if I want Lizzie.

LIZZIE

I know you can Parker, I wasn't saying that.

KATE

(to Parker)

So, who's your date?

PARKER

No one. I came alone tonight.

ANIMATED LIZZIE

And you're leaving alone too!

LIZZIE

(hesitant)

Parker, about what you said…

PARKER

Yeah?

LIZZIE

What exactly did you mean?

PARKER

All I'm saying Lizzie is that Gordo's free to go out with whoever he wants.

MIRANDA

(dismissive)

Like you?

PARKER

Maybe.

LIZZIE

(miffed)

Okay, last year you turned him down Parker. Remember?

PARKER

Things change.

LIZZIE

Yeah, they do. Gordo's my boyfriend now.

(beat)

Mine.

PARKER

For now, sure. But like I said, things change.

Before things get any uglier, Parker walks off, leaving the three girls to absorb the fallout of the situation.

MIRANDA

Parker is such a witch…

Enter ETHAN CRAFT.

KATE

There's Ethan. Lizzie, will you be alright?

LIZZIE

(valiantly)

I'll be fine. You go ahead, have a good time.

Kate goes off to Ethan. Miranda gives Lizzie a half hug.

MIRANDA

It's okay.

As they stand there supporting themselves, in comes Gordo dressed in a suit and holding something in a container. Seeing the girls he heads over.

GORDO

Hey.

(to Lizzie)

Sorry I'm late, but I had to pick something up.

LIZZIE

That's okay. L—Let's dance.

The two of them hit the dance floor. It's a slow dance.

GORDO

I brought you something.

LIZZIE

(lost in thought)

Hmmm. Oh? You didn't have to get me anything Gordo.

GORDO

I know. Go ahead, open it.

Gordo hands Lizzie the container he's brought. She opens it to reveal a corsage.

LIZZIE

(surprised)

Gordo, it's beautiful.

GORDO

Yeah, well, my mother helped me pick it out, so I can't take all the credit.

LIZZIE

(smiling)

It's still beautiful. Thank you.

GORDO

(bashful)

I wanted to get you something special. Since, you know, this is our first dance since we've become a couple and all…

ANIMATED LIZZIE

Awww!

LIZZIE

(probing)

So, you're glad we're a couple?

GORDO

You bet.

(beat)

Why, aren't you?

LIZZIE

Totally! I—I was just making sure you feel the same way.

(beat)

Because, you know, it's important that we tell each other how we feel and stuff…

ANIMATED LIZZIE

And who says you don't learn anything from "Oprah"?

GORDO

(laughing)

You sound like my parents.

LIZZIE

I just wanted to make sure we both know where we stand, you know?

GORDO

(pinning Lizzie's corsage on)

I'm standing right here Lizzie, where I always have.

They look at each other.

LIZZIE

(smiling)

I know.

Then quickly, without warning, she leans in and pecks Gordo on the lips. Flushed, the two start dancing in earnest.

ANIMATED LIZZIE

You know, when it comes right down to it, maybe taking something for granted isn't so bad after all. It means you're taking something for a fact, which can be a good thing.

Miranda is starting to work herself up when her date walks in. He's a good looking generic kid.

MIRANDA

(impatient)

Finally!

She runs over, grabs her date, pulls him out onto the floor, and starts dancing along with the other kids as we pan out.

CUT TO:

INT. MCGUIRE HOME—JO & SAM'S BEDROOM

Sam and Jo are sitting on their bed with a picnic blanket spread out with all sorts of cheeses and assorted goodies on it. While they are eating, we hear a pounding coming from their bedroom door.

JO

(yelling to Sam)

These earplugs were a great idea! I can't hear a thing!

SAM

(unhearing)

What?

JO

Never mind!

As Jo and Sam finally settle down and enjoy some quiet, we continue to hear Matt at their door.

MATT

(V.O.)

Mom? Dad?

FADE OUT:

END OF EPISODE